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The article from Consumer Reports discusses what to do if you purchase a faulty appliance, providing steps to take when dealing with customer service and warranties. It highlights the challenges consumers face when trying to get repairs or replacements for malfunctioning appliances, emphasizing the importance of documentation and persistence. The article also offers tips for avoiding purchasing faulty appliances in the future, such as seeking out reliable retailers and reading warranty and return policies carefully. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Consumer Reports provides advice on how to eliminate bad smells in the home. It covers various topics such as food odors, pet smells, mustiness, and bathroom stink. The article offers specific solutions for each type of smell, including cleaning techniques and recommended products. It also provides tips on how to identify and address certain mystery odors. The information is presented in a helpful and informative manner, providing practical solutions for library patrons looking to eliminate unpleasant smells in their homes. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses different options for planning funerals, including traditional burials, cremation, and alternative methods such as green burials, water cremation, donating the body to medical schools, and burial at sea. It emphasizes the importance of making choices in advance and provides information on costs and considerations for each option. The article also suggests ways to cover funeral costs, such as opening a final expenses bank account or purchasing burial insurance. It concludes by highlighting the importance of documenting end-of-life plans and having conversations with loved ones about preferences. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Consumer Reports provides valuable information on the dangers of extreme heat and offers practical tips for staying cool and safe during a heatwave. It emphasizes the health risks associated with hot weather, particularly for individuals with certain medical conditions or who are taking specific medications. The article covers various scenarios, including preparing your home for a heatwave, staying cool during a power outage, taking care of yourself and your car in hot weather, and even offers recommendations for the best gear to beat the heat. It also provides advice for walking outside in high heat and offers tips for staying cool while on vacation. [Extracted from the article]

You can always respond later, through an organization's official channels - not a mail, text, phone number, social media message, or link sent to you. Technology offers so many convenient ways to keep in touch with friends and family, and manage our daily lives: cell phone calls, emails, texts, social media, and beyond. For Phone Calls Wireless carriers' free filtering apps, such as AT&T's ActiveArmor, T-Mobile's Scam Shield, and Verizon's Call Filter, identify and block calls that are likely to be scams or spam. Text scams, or "smishing", are overtaking phone call scams as criminals' digital tool of choice, and now account for 22 percent of all fraud reports to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network, which shares scam info with law enforcement agencies. [Extracted from the article]

These window coverings can block solar heat, and they also save you about 10 percent on heating costs, or $72 per year on a very modest bill of $60 per month. Set your thermostat a little higher than your usual comfort zone For every degree you set your thermostat above 72° F, you'll save 3 percent on your utility bill. Whether you should repair or replace your electric dryer depends on how much it cost you, its age, and its potential repair cost vs. the cost of a new dryer. Try a smart thermostat to cut heating and cooling costs SAVE $50 OR MORE A YEAR Don't let your air conditioning go on automatic pilot: Take control with a WiFi-enabled smart thermostat like the ones listed at right. [Extracted from the article]

Policy review is a rating of the thoroughness insurers provide their customers regarding their policy options. Household Sensors DIY systems offer extra options that can help you catch problems before they cause damage, including flood and freeze sensors, glass-break sensors, and smoke and CO monitors. Also, some insurance companies now partner with security-system providers, which can make the process of selecting and installing a system simpler. Ring Alarm Pro B08HSTJPMS $300 (shown above) 79 OVERALL SCORE SimpliSafe The Essentials SS3-01 $165 76 OVERALL SCORE Ring Alarm Security Kit 4K19SZ-0EN0 (2nd Gen.) $299 74 OVERALL SCORE Security Cameras Wireless security cameras connect to WiFi and can be plugged in for power or run on a rechargeable battery. [Extracted from the article]

SECURE WOOD STAIRS Low carpet (. inch high or less) or staircase treads help reduce fall risk on wood stairways. Good home lighting is vital for preventing falls, too, so illuminate paths to bathrooms for nighttime visits and place light switches at the top and bottom of each staircase. If creating a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor doesn't seem possible, perhaps your home could accommodate a staircase chair lift, a motor-powered device with a secure seat that can take you up and down a set of stairs. For stairs, carpet might be best for traction, and nonslip treads (about $40 for a pack of 15) or tape (about $16 for a 2-inch wide, 30-foot-long roll) can reduce fall risks on wood. [Extracted from the article]

A door sweep ($5 to $32) helps keep heat in and cold air out. A trained energy assessor can evaluate it for issues like insufficient insulation or a heating system that might warrant replacement - and help develop a plan to improve efficiency and lower your energy bills. In addition to checking for window drafts and other air leaks, it's smart to assess attic insulation, which is "akin to a sweater for your house", says Lauren Urbanek, senior energy policy advocate at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council. [Extracted from the article]

Try Low-Tech Cooling Tactics FLIP A FAN ON Ceiling, portable, and window fans stir up breezes that speed sweat evaporation, which will help you feel cooler. Excessive heat warning* Extremely dangerous heat conditions: A maximum heat index temperature of 105° F or more for at least two days, with nighttime temps 75° F or higher expected within 12 hours. Heat advisory* A maximum heat index temperature of 100° F or more, with nighttime temperatures of 75° F or higher, is expected within 12 hours and to last at least two days. Comfort reflects how quickly an air conditioner on its high-fan setting cools a room sized for the particular unit and how accurate it comes to meeting a temperature set point. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers tips on how to eliminate stains at home and clothes. Among the recommendations are limiting the use of water when working on upholstery fabric to avoid water-ring stain, using plain white paper towels or clean white cloth to eliminate stain, and utilizing nonabrasive scrubbing pad on hard surfaces like stone countertops. Also cited are tips to remove stains from ketchup/tomato sauce, coffee, wine, tea, and mustard.